Cannabix is developing Marijuana Breathalyzer devices to give law enforcement and employers a tool to enhance public safety

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the “Company” or “Cannabix”), developer of marijuana breathalyzer devices for law enforcement and the workplace, reports that it will be presenting at the Texas Impaired Driving Forum, held by Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) in February. Cannabix’s Dr. Jared Boock, Ph.D., will be presenting the Company’s marijuana breathalyzer technologies and approaches at the Forum. The 2021 Texas Impaired Driving Forum attracted approximately 300 attendees from across the state of Texas. These traffic safety stakeholders specialize in fields such as prosecution, judicial review, probation, law enforcement, education/advocacy, prevention, treatment, and highway safety.

THCBA update

The Company reports that the version 4.0 THC Breath Analyzer (“THCBA”) sensor apparatus for production is being bench tested with preliminary standardized testing showing that this updated design results in less than half of the standard deviation variability of the successful previous version 3.0 sensor. This updated sensor apparatus design and related hardware improvements have been developed incorporating feedback from beta-test users as well as planned design changes which have been prepared over the past months. Several components such as the device’s internal sampling chambers, microfluidic sensors and related actuation mechanism have been simplified to minimize manufacturing variability and to reduce cost. The first fully assembled version 4.0 THCBA devices for human testing are on track for December – this will be followed by broad field testing and clinical testing to establish V4.0 benchmark standards.

The THCBA is a drug screening device for various markets who are seeking a way to quickly (in less than 5 minutes), easily and non-invasively test for recent use of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) – the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes impairment. The THCBA consists of a handheld device and protective case which houses a sterilization module, sample preparation stage, device recovery station and integrated battery charging system.

Germany

Recently, the leaders of all three parties that make up the German coalition government entered into a four-year coalition agreement that sets out a commitment to “introduce the controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for recreation.” With a population of over 83 million, Germany could be become one of the largest legal cannabis markets in the world. The Company reports that it has been in discussions with companies in Germany for the advancement of Cannabix marijuana breath testing tools and may allocate resources as necessary to take advantage of these opportunities.

Dr. Richard Yost

Dr. Richard Yost (Ph.D.) of the University of Florida (UF) has entered into a consulting agreement with the Company as well as maintaining his role as Senior Scientific Advisor in the area of FAIMS technology development. Dr. Yost is the winner of the Pittsburgh (Pittcon) Analytical Chemistry Award for 2021. Dr. Yost is widely recognized as a world leader in the field of mass spectrometry and analytical chemistry, most notably for his co-invention of the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, which has revolutionized important measurements impacting human health and well-being in the fields of drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, environmental studies, and biological analyses. The consulting agreement with Dr. Yost has been adopted, as the Company’s research term with UF has ended.

About Cannabix Technologies Inc.

Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a developer of marijuana breathalyzer technologies for law enforcement and the workplace. Cannabix is working to develop drug-screening devices that will detect THC – the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes impairment – using breath samples. Breath testing for THC would allow employers and law enforcement to identify recent marijuana use that better aligns with impairment. Cannabix devices are in the advanced prototype and pre-clinical testing stage.

We seek Safe Harbor.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

“Rav Mlait”

CEO
Cannabix Technologies Inc.

For further information, contact the Company at [email protected]

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, such as final development of a commercial or prototype product(s), successful trial or pilot of company technologies, no assurance that commercial sales of any kind actually materialize; no assurance the Company will have sufficient funds to complete product development. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company’s plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information, including: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) risks regarding protection of proprietary technology; (iii) the ability of the Company to complete financings; (iv) the ability of the Company to develop and market its future product; and (v) risks regarding government regulation, managing and maintaining growth, the effect of adverse publicity, litigation, competition and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the Company’s public announcements and filings. There is no assurance that its development of marijuana breathalyzer technology will provide any benefit to the Company, and no assurance that any proposed new products will be built, will be successful in beta testing or clinical trials. There is no assurance that existing “patent pending” technologies licensed by the Company will receive patent status by regulatory authorities. The Company is not currently selling commercial breathalyzers. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

This article was published by CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN), owner and operator of CFN Media, the industry’s leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the burgeoning CBD and legal cannabis industries. Call +1 (833) 420-CNFN for more information.

About Ryan Allway

Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.

Cannabis has been used for thousands of years. From native Indians to various subcultures, people have used cannabis for several reasons. However, there has always been a stigma surrounding cannabis use. Although a lot of people used the plant, it was never widely accepted by the general public.

However, things started changing in the last 40 years. Today there are many countries in which medical cannabis is legal, and there’s tons of research about this plant and its benefits. This change is obvious for another reason as well, currently there are thousands of medical dispensaries where people can legally buy cannabis.

For example, residents of California can drop by Venice Beach cannabis dispensary and instantly get cannabis for their needs. One of the reasons these medical dispensaries are so popular is because they promote responsible cannabis use. Here’s how they work.

They Offer Better Product Quality

In the past, people had to get cannabis from unreliable sources and shady channels. Simply put, there wasn’t a legal way to get marijuana, which made it difficult to find quality products along with a reliable source they could always count on.

It was also very unsafe. People had issues because they often bought low-quality products with no guarantee of what they were getting. People had to trust that the seller would deliver good quality. Today, products at medical dispensaries come from professional breeders and cultivators.

Customers know the exact strain they are getting and these producers are held to a higher standard. Simply put, they need to pass various quality checks to be able to sell their products.

They are Safer

Using cannabis responsibly is not just about having a reliable supplier – the way you get your products matters as well. Whenever illegal production and supply are involved, there are certain risks for everyone, including consumers.

As a buyer you don’t want to meet someone in the back alley, not knowing what to expect. You can potentially get robbed, scammed or even arrested if cannabis is illegal. Medical dispensaries are far safer. First of all, the cannabis they sell is completely legal and legit.

You don’t have to worry about being scammed. You can just drop by and purchase the product you need. At the same time, dispensaries often have security personnel and cameras that protect you from potential criminals.

You Know What You are Getting

Dispensaries must be transparent. What does this mean? A couple of things:

• Every medicine and product that’s being sold goes through rigorous checks.
• The origin of each product can be traced back to the producer.
• Product packaging clearly states the content of the product and all its ingredients.
• If you have additional questions, you can talk to the pharmacist working at the dispensary

When buying medical products you need to know what they contain, since people use cannabis for treating different conditions. Professional producers breed different strains that are better at alleviating various symptoms.

For example, some marijuana strains are better for treating depression and anxiety while others might be better for arthritis. You can always find a product that’s best for your needs.

Dispensaries Can Educate Users on Proper Cannabis Use

Dispensaries often have medical professionals working at them. These pharmacists are there to accept various medical forms and prescriptions that people use to get their medical products. However, there is another advantage of having medical professionals at the dispensary.

They have a lot of knowledge about different medications, how they work, and how they should be used. So, you’re not buying cannabis products from a random person – you’re getting it from people who have a medical background.

They can give you valuable advice on how to use your medicine properly, which is especially important when you’re taking cannabis for the first time and don’t know what to expect. A pharmacist can help you understand how you should use your medicine, when, and in what dosage.

Chances are you’ve heard about various cannabis side-effects, but in reality most of them are caused by improper use. People take high doses in uncontrolled environments and they suffer the consequences. A medical professional can guide you to avoid this from happening.

Bottom Line

The use of cannabis for medical purposes has gone a long way. All over the world, we are seeing more and more countries letting people treat several conditions with this medication. At the same time, we are also seeing an increase in cannabis-based drugs.

Dispensaries have made supply a lot easier to obtain. They make these products available to everyone who has an appropriate medical prescription. At the same time, people can use cannabis responsibly to get the desired effects.

An increase in accidental poisoning reports to the Washington Poison Control Center show adults need to work harder to keep marijuana products away from small children.

Among children 5 and younger, the Poison Control Center saw a dramatic increase in accidental exposure from 52 in 2016 to 82 in 2017. The statewide numbers also have risen dramatically in the 6- to 12-year-old group, and most of the accidental exposures involved edible cannabis products.

Adults who leave marijuana products within reach of children and toddlers are mostly to blame for this problem. Pot should be kept out of reach of small hands.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is smart to take another look at these edible products to make sure they are not being sold in a form too closely resembling candy or other treats. State law prohibits any marijuana product that would be especially appealing to children and youth. Edibles only make up about 9 percent of the marijuana market, but there are 2,000 of these products being sold in Washington right now.

The state board will be reviewing the packaging of all edibles over the next few months to judge. Regulators are looking for any that are too brightly colored or resemble candy, like bright chewy Starburst-lookalikes or playful gummy bears.

The cannabis industry wants to protect children too. Industry groups, including The Washington Cannabusiness Association, committed in a letter to the state board to continue self-regulation to develop and package products for adult use that are uninviting to children.

But the industry is also worried state regulators in the Liquor and Cannabis Board will ban all edibles if a few products are too appealing to kids.

Vicki Christophersen, executive director of the Washington Cannabusiness Association, says the entire industry wants to partner with the Liquor and Cannabis Board to strengthen and clarify state regulations about edibles to improve safety and prevent an all-out ban. She says they are willing to follow the rules, but they need more specifics about what is allowed and what isn’t.

That sounds like a very adult approach to improvement in this young industry.

And Christophersen says cannabis producers, processors, retailers, etc., would also like to see the Legislature fulfill its promise to use marijuana tax income to improve education, prevention and addiction treatment.

Adults who want their legal marijuana in an edible form should be able to buy it at their local pot store in a form that doesn’t look like Halloween candy. But when they bring it home, they still need to keep it out of reach from children.

© 2018 The Seattle Times. Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

WASHINGTON — As a new-product junkie, it was foregone that I’d swap a C-note for something called CBD, a cannabis extract promising relief from pain and anxiety, the twin banes of baby boomers recently awakened to the realization that, though their spirits be forever young, their joints definitively are not.

Lately limping, thanks to an old injury, and a few days shy of my next cortisone injection, I nearly leapt (or would have if I could have) toward the small spa table featuring CBD roll-ons and other attractively packaged potions. Call me a sucker, but I immediately embraced the sales pitch that this relatively new and wildly popular product could ease not only the ache in my ankle but make me feel a little breezier about life among headlines and deadlines.

Perhaps you’ve fallen under the CBD spell as well.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating derivative of both marijuana and hemp. Marijuana has a much higher level of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana that gets you high. Hemp has much greater levels of CBD, which doesn’t have the mind-altering effects of pot.

In the past couple of years, CBD has become all the rage for non-stoners who want to feel better, too, sprouting a sudden industry of faddish-sounding supplements and CBD-infused products. Although CBD is technically a federally “scheduled” substance, several states allow access to CBD oil and/or high-CBD strains of marijuana. To date, marijuana is legal in nine states and the District of Columbia for recreational use; CBD is legal with varying restrictions in 46 states.

In other words, CBD may be the new gold rush. Stock forecasters such as the Motley Fool suggest that there could be a $75 billion U.S. cannabis market by 2030. Canada is already well on its way.

Meanwhile, a goldmine of CBD products is available online, in grocery stores, and even perhaps from your local latte vendor. In a market where you can buy vodka-infused ice cream, why not a cuppa java to warm your bones and chill your mind? Other products include CBD-infused gummies, mints, mascara, vape pens, bath bombs and even a tincture for pets.

But CBD isn’t just a fad. It’s also medicine with the potential for multiple therapeutic uses.

In June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first CBD-derived pharmaceutical drug — Epidiolex — to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 2 and older.

This could be a breakthrough not only for patients suffering such conditions but also for CBD generally. The arrival of additional pharmaceuticals is challenged, however, by obstacles to large-scale hemp production needed for clinical trials.

Also standing in the way is the federal government’s classification of hemp as a controlled substance.

This could soon change. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., inserted a provision in the farm bill to declassify hemp so that farmers can start growing it for CBD production.

In the meantime, everything else on the CBD market is pretty much a pricey game of roulette. There’s no way of knowing what you’re getting — in what quantities or with what additives. A 2017 University of Pennsylvania study found “a lack of regulation and oversight” on CBD extracts and reported that 70 percent of CBD products sold online were mislabeled.

Step right up!

For now, CBD is treated the same way dietary supplements are. Whereas drugs have to be proved “safe and effective” before they can be marketed, dietary supplements can go to market without any such evidence. The burden of proof falls on the FDA to prove that something is not safe and effective.

CBD has been gladly received despite its having avoided serious scientific scrutiny. Most will tell you that “it’s fine,” and I hope it is. But the truth is, we don’t know what quantities are appropriate or what other effects CBD might produce. The Army recently banned all CBD oils.

In essence, the public is serving as the guinea pig for a substance that hasn’t been comprehensively tested, while enriching not a few entrepreneurs who saw consumers like me coming. Skeptics, meanwhile, wonder whether it makes sense to make public health policy through an agriculture bill.

I can’t report yet whether my investment has paid off in pain relief. Before my CBD had a chance to act, I headed to the orthopedist’s office for a drug that is both safe and effective. Cortisone may be a serious pain — ouch! — but it seriously works.

— Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.

The number of calls to poison control centers involving people 19 and younger who were exposed to marijuana has steadily risen from 347 three years ago to 588 last year. In the first six months of this year, there have been 386 calls to poison control centers involving marijuana exposure by underage people. If that trend continues, there could be more than double the reports in 2018 as there were 2015.

Nearly half of the calls received last year — 256 — involved children 5 and younger, including 38 children under 12 months old, and 64 toddlers who were a year old, according to Stuart E. Heard, executive director of the California Poison Control System.

“Parents and families should be aware that as marijuana becomes more and more available in various forms, it should be treated as any other potentially harmful product and be kept safely and securely away from children,” Heard said.

California voters approved legalization through Proposition 64 in November 2016, and the state began licensing businesses to sell cannabis to people age 21 and older on Jan. 1. Californians were allowed to grow, possess and use pot for recreational purposes immediately after the ballot measure was approved.

In some cases, children find their parents’ stash and ingest it, not knowing what it is. Some older teenagers involved in reports to poison control are experimenting with pot they buy outside of retail stores on the black market.

Heard said a big part of the problem is that some marijuana is processed into edibles, including candy, cookies and brownies that are not readily identifiable by children as being tainted with drugs.

Last year, cannabis-laced gummy snacks sold by a student at a middle school in Chula Vista made some of his classmates sick. The year before, 19 people were sickened and hospitalized when marijuana-laced gummy ring candies were consumed at a quinceañera party in San Francisco, Heard said.

Most of those sickened at the San Francisco party ranged in age from 6 to 18 years old, with many experiencing a rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, high blood pressure, dizziness, lethargy, confusion and nausea, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

The candies and at least a dozen of those sickened tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Emergency room physicians also are seeing an uptick in underage patients with health concerns caused by marijuana ingestion.

Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles saw 11 emergency room visits for marijuana-related problems during the first three months of this year, compared with four during the same period last year and three during that period in 2016, according to Lorenzo Benet, a hospital spokesman.

Ten of the patients this year were younger than 18, he said.

Kevin A. Sabet, who heads a national group opposed to cannabis legalization, noted that there has been a similar increase in marijuana poisoning calls in other states that legalized marijuana, including Washington.

“To have such a spike in this number so early is a big warning signal,” said Sabet, president of the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “This should give serious public health officials in California pause. We need to slow this freight train down and rein in this industry.”

Supporters of legalization for adults said the issue is being addressed by the state’s enforcement of new rules that prohibit the sale and marketing of marijuana and pot edibles to minors, and that require child-resistant packaging.

“Edibles are attractive to young people and pets,” said Dale Gieringer, director of California NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). “The new labeling and packaging rules mandated by Prop. 64 should alleviate the problem.”

Reports of marijuana exposure to poison control centers also might be up because “people feel freer to call poison centers now that use is legal,” Gieringer said.

Minors in the state have been allowed to use marijuana for medical purposes for two decades.

Heard said his records do not include any fatalities among underage patients for exposure to marijuana, and most of the calls regarding children involve “minor to moderate” medical issues.

“Every once in a while there is a serious problem,” he said. “If they are showing any signs or symptoms that are serious, we usually recommend they see their physician.”

According to calls from worried parents, a larger number of the teenagers experience “moderate effects” from consuming pot, and more of them ingest the marijuana on purpose, Heard said.

“Harmful effects in children can include a decreased level of alertness and activity, difficulty with breathing and low blood pressure,” Heard added. “In brief, kids and cannabis don’t mix.”

© 2018 the Los Angeles Times. Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.